1. Grade 8 Promoting Respect Workshop “Gender and Sexism” Greater Mankato Diversity Council
(Back ground) We have split the old 10th grade curricula into 2 parts into “Gender and Sexism” (8th grade) and “Gender identity and Sexual orientation” (10th grade.)
In this new 8th grade curricula, we address first gender bias/stereotype especially related to careers and then, transition into sexism showing the video clip used in the old 10th grade curricula.
We thought we could bring down original 10th grade to 8th grade as was but district thought 8th graders are not mature enough for the curricula. Therefore, gender bias/stereotype portion replaced Laci Green’s “Sexism affect Men” video portion of the original program.

2. If you know the answer of this riddle, be quiet!
A father and son are in a horrible car crash that kills the dad. The son is rushed to the hospital; just as he’s about to go under the knife, the surgeon says, “I can’t operate—that boy is my son!” Explain.
Answer: The surgeon is his mother.
Only 14-22% of people come up with the correct answer.
Most of us automatically assume the surgeon is a man!
This is an example of gender stereotype—sometimes we assume things unconsciously (implicitly).
This is today’s topic!

3. Introduction And you Instructions:
One of the facilitators introduces GMDC
Facilitator introduce themselves—possibly mention something about themselves that is relevant to the topic of the day.
Ask students to introduce themselves---name and something that brings out gender difference such as:
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Your favorite thing to do
What do you watch on TV?
Pay attention to the gender differences and mention the differences after the introduction.

4. = Stereotype? Gender stereotypes ? Activity 1: Definitions
Instructions:
Ask students to: 1) define the word, 2) give some examples
Example: All tall black persons are basketball players. All Asians eat rice.
Definition : generalization of the entire group based on one person or small number of the people
Then define gender stereotypes: stereotypes related to gender. Similar terminology: gender bias. Ask for examples?
Gender stereotypes ?

5. Group work List as many gender stereotypes as possible.
What will happen if you do not follow these stereotypes?
Group students into several groups. Each group receives one worksheet.
Ask students to “VERY QUICKLY” list male/female stereotypes.
Ask each group to report:
Ask each group to list what happens to boys and girls who do not follow these stereotypes ?
Ask each group to report.

6. Whose Career is it? Secretary Astronaut Mechanic Pilot
Political head of a nation
Homemaker
Engineer
Astronaut
Pilot
Flight attendant
Scientist
Principal
Gender bias/stereotypes influence job choices:
Which of these jobs are typically men’s job or women’s job?
Ask one by one and let students raise their hands: such as “Secretary: Typically men’s job? Women’s job?”
You might define “Homemaker” : stay at home mom/dad

7. Whose Career is it? Secretary (96%) Astronaut (18%) Mechanic (10%)
Political head of a nation (14%)
Homemaker (92%)
Engineer (19%)
Astronaut (18%)
Pilot (3%)
Flight attendant (76%)
Scientist (21%)
Principal (52%)
These are the actual % of women on these jobs.
Ask students any of these % surprised them?
Data sources and some related facts (no need to mention in the class):
President –as of Dec16, 2018, out of 175 countries, 25 had female head of nation
Engineer: in females received engineering degrees out of a total of (18.8%)
NASA started accepting 50% women in its astronaut program in 2013
Principal (60% female for elementary, 30% female for high school)

8. What jobs are you thinking about? 8th grade (2016 )
Boys
Girls
In our separate program (STEM equity program), we have been asking southern Minnesota’s 8th graders what they want to be when they grow up. These are the top 5 choices among male and female 8th grade students.
By clicking one by one, show the #1 choice to #5 choice for boys and girls.
Notice difference in choice among boys and girls. Notice girls’ choices all deal with humans or animals. Boys’ choices generally do not.

9. Gender stereotypes Example 1: Girls don’t like math? True? False?
Let’s look at some of the typical gender stereotypes:
“Example 1: Girls are not good at math?
True? False?
We have been taking stats among 9th graders for the last 6 years.
As this graph shows, currently there is no difference between boys and girls. About 55%of both like math!

10. Gender stereotypes Example 2: Boys do not cry Agree? Disagree?
Bukata Hayes is our executive director. He is an African American man with 6 feet tall. He is tall, study, fierce looking guy. He plays basketball very well (stereotypical). He has 4 children and he took them to see Toy Story 3. Toward the end of the movie, apparently there was a sad section, he started crying even though kids were just just fine.
So, there are some men who cry!

11. Gender stereotypes
Example 3: Athletics/sports are a guy thing. Agree? Disagree?
Ask students, boys and girls separately, if they play sports or not?
Explain “sports” are typically guy thing …but
Ask who is the most decorated athlete?
Serena Williams, most decorated professional athlete of our time

12. Gender stereotypes Example 4: Girls are not leaders Agree? Disagree?
Mary Berra, CEO of GM (General Motors, one of the largest automotive company in the world- they make Chevy, Buick, Cadillac ): Not only is she a CEO, but she started as a car mechanic/engineer.

13. Job-related gender bias
Business: Executives and Secretary
Gender stereotypes/bias could create a large gender imbalance in certain jobs. Let’s look at some examples.
In business world, only 14% of top executives are women but 96% of secretaries are women.
14% of top executives are women
96% of secretaries are woman

14. Job-related gender bias
Medicine: Nurses and Doctors
9% of nurses are men
Nurses
60%
40%
Why are most nurses women and most doctors men?

15. Job-related gender bias
Airlines: Pilot VS. Flight attendant
3% of pilots are women
24% of flight attendants are men
In airline industry, only 3% of pilot are women and 24% of flight attendant are men.

16. Group Work
Why is there such an imbalance in the gender ratio in certain jobs?
Should it be this way? Why? Why not?
Assign each group to Business (executives and secretary), medical (doctors and nurses), or airline (pilots and flight attendants)
Using back side of the worksheet, ask each group to come up with:
Why there is such a large gender gap in these jobs? List the possible reasons.
So, gender gap justified? Why? Why not?

17. The gender imbalance among many jobs is often caused by gender stereotypes.
The gender imbalance among many jobs is often caused by gender bias and stereotypes.

18. Conversely, Sexism causes job related gender imbalances.
Gender stereotypes are society’s association of certain gender with certain things such as “jobs” and there are always many exceptions.
Many of these stereotypes lead to gender-based discrimination called sexism;
Conversely, Sexism causes job related gender imbalances.
Gender bias/stereotypes are society’s association of certain gender with certain things such as “jobs” and there are always many exceptions.
Many of these stereotypes lead to gender-based discrimination called sexism;
Conversely, Sexism causes job related gender imbalances.

19. Sexism
Sexism: Discrimination based on the cultural, institutional, and individual viewpoint that one sex is superior to another. (Targets in most cultures are girls and women.)
What are some examples of sexism in school? How about in the workplace?
Does sexism affect men/boys?
Instructions:
Sexism: Cultural, institutional, and individual viewpoint that one sex is superior to another. (Targets in most cultures are girls and women.)
What are some examples of sexism in school? How about in the workplace? -- Unequal funding for women’s sports; invisibility of women in history, math, science, literature, etc.; “glass ceiling” in many organizations.
What are some examples of men being targets of sexism? The stereotypes that men must be the breadwinner, strong, athletic, protector, or simply better than women stress men and boys. If you are pressured into society’s gender mold, the real you is suppressed, and your life can become stressful.

20. Video clip from TV show “Scandal”
Instructions:
We are going to watch a clip from the TV show “Scandal.” This video shows sexism in action. Pay attention to how the interviewer (man) exercises sexism almost subconsciously.

21. What did you think of the video?
Any thoughts on the video clip?
Why was Congresswoman Marcus upset at having the interview at her home and about the pitcher of ice tea?
What stereotype does she say the interviewer and other men are promoting in this interview?
What do you think? Does gender have anything to do with being the President of the United States?
Instructions:
Carry out a short discussion about the “Scandal” video clip using questions on the screen.
Any thoughts on the video clip?
Why was Congresswoman Marcus upset at having the interview at her home and about the pitcher of iced tea? (Women and home or iced tea are clear female gender stereotypes. They have nothing to do with being the president)
What stereotype does she say the interviewer and other men are promoting in this interview? (Women are weaker than men; hence, cannot be commander-in-chief)
What do you think? Does gender have anything to do with being the President of the United States?

22. Closing Why are we talking about gender?
Gender is part of us. It’s a reality; something that is part of our world.
Gender stereotypes and sexism not only influence everyone but often hurt many people.
People who are outside of gender stereotypes are just like us. Can you respect them for who they are?
Instructions:
Key Points - Why do we need to learn and talk about gender?
Ask questions on the screen then final questions:
Is it OK for men to like romantic movies, dance ballet, and bake cakes?
Is it OK for women to like action movies, drive trucks and BBQ burgers?

23. Feedback
1= Strongly Agree 2=Agree 3=Disagree 4=Strongly Disagree
Today I reviewed what the terms gender stereotype and “sexism” mean, and I understand that they influence us.
 I learned the gender stereotypes that our society fosters and that influence our job choices.
 I can identify how both males and females could be affected due to stereotypes and prejudice.
I have an increased awareness of what it means to respect others based on who they are, not based on their gender.
Instructions:
Watch the time.
One facilitator (or ask teacher’s help) distributes the student feedback forms. Explain 1, 2, 3, 4
Read questions
Ask for any comments at the bottom.
Thank all the students for their participation and administer the feedback survey encouraging honest answers and comments on the bottom.
Please write any comments about this presentation at the bottom of the sheet.

24. Thank you!
Thank students and the teacher.